Signal apparatus.



E. J. SCHRODER.

SIGNAL APP RATUS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 16. 1917. V I 1,260,817. I Patented Mar. 26,1918.

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SIGNAL APPARATUS. APPLICATION man MAR. 16, 1917.

1,260,817. Patented Mar. 26, 1918.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 Zdaara Jammy arena EDWARD J. sermons, on cnrcnso, ILLINOIS.

SIGNAL APPARATUS.

7 Application filed March 16,

To all whom it may concern:

. Be it known that I. EDWARD J SoHRonER, a citizenof the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and v useful Improvements in Signal Apparatus,

of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to signal apparatus intended to be mounted upon an automobile and designed to warn or signal the driver of a following vehicle.

Among the objects of the invention are to provide a light, compact, neat,1and weatherproof apparatus adapted to serve the purpose of a tail-light and a slow-down warning for a following driver.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a rear side elevation of an-apparatus embodying the features of my invention, the parts being in position to serve the purpose of an ordinary tail-lights Fig. 2 is a similar view but showing the parts in position to warn a following driver that the car upon which the signal apparatus is mounted is about to change its speed or course. Fig. 3 is a front side elevation with the inclosing casing in section. I Figs. 4: and 5 are end elevations with the casing removed showing the mechanism in different positions. Fig. 6 is an elevation of the opposite end of the apparatus with the casing removed. Fig. 7 is a transverse vertical sectional view. Fig. 8 is a detail view. 7 we The embodiment herein shown of the invention comprises. asupporting framework 1. Whilethe apparatus may be attached to anysuitable portion of the vehicle'in any convenient manner, I have herein shown the supporting framework as provided upon its forward side with two perforated attaching lugs 2 by means of which the framework may be attached toa suitable portion of the body. The framework 1 is substantially entirely inclo'sed in a casing 3 which may be secured to the framework 1 in a suitable manner. as. for example, by means of thumb screws 4 fitting within notches 5 in the lower edges of the casing. It will be seen that by loosening the screws 4 the casing 3 is released and may be lifted 01f the frame- WorkL; i it WVithin the framework 1 is a lamp of any suitable character. Herein is shown an'incandescent electric lamp 6 centrally located within the framework and having a socket 7 projecting downwardly from the lower Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Ma. 2c, 1918 1917. Serial No. 155,159.

portion of the forward side of the framework to receive a plug (not shown) attached to a flexible electric conductor.

Rearwardly of the lamp 6 is a device constructed and arranged to display to a following driver the word Slow or Stop or other desired signal. Inthe present embodiment such device consists of a glass plate 8 attached to the framework 1 by means of friction clips 8* and painted to display the word Slow. The casing 3 has a glazed sight opening 9 in its rear side through which the plate 8 may be seen by a following driver.

Means is provided to conceal the plate 8 and display through the sight opening 9 a warning light or the like. T he means herein shown for this purpose comprises a curtain 10 supported for movement through the space between the glassplate 8 and the sight opening 9, said curtain being of sufficient size to obscure said plate. The curtain may be of any suitable material.

The upper edge of the curtain. 10 is secured to a roller 11 j ournaled in the supporting framework 1. The curtain may be guided in any suitable manner. Herein the lower edge of the curtain is secured to two tapes or other suitable flexible connectors 12, said tapes also being attached to the roller 11. In the lower rear portion of the framework 1 is a rod or shaft 13 upon which are mounted grooved idler rollers 14 over which the tapes 12 extend. In order to hold the curtain l0 and tapes 12 under suitable tension, the ends of the shaft 13 may be mounted in slots 15 in the supporting framework so that said shaft is capable of movement toward and away from the roller 11. Springs 16 secured to the framework and bearing at their free ends against the ends of the shaft 13 hold the curtain 10 and the tape 12 under tension. l l

The curtain 10 is opaque save for the middle portion thereof which is preferably made translucent and colored to provide a circular red field through which the light from the lamp 6 may be transmitted. This field will he hereinafter referred to as the bulls eye 17. v

-The means for turning theroller 11 to move thecurtain 10 into and out of position between the plate 8 and the sight opening 9 may be of any suitable construction. That herein shown comprisesla pair of what may be termed intermittent gears 18 and 19 hav i which extends freely a pin 23 carried by arm 2 Up n th link 1 is a has 2b adapted to overlie the rounded end 24; of the arm 24. A spring 25, connected at its ends to the supporting framework and the link 21 holds up the link 21 so that the n 'n win h rm the end 9f Saidv r Shall t P e s a ain the s de 9 h 111s? 2. The aim-# 4 i re- 1 been me Shaft 26 h c i i urnale n the se porfifis'framework 13 h an PQlr'FlQQS at a d Sha may, if d s d P ec eveled fil nds t" h pperne f a e o k SO that an actuating crank arm may be connected toeither end of the shaft. The end walls'of the casing 3 have notchesfl'? in their L v ra es t e t e h ft a o end of the casing carries a hood 28 to fit over the projecting end of the shaft 26 opposite to that upon which the actuating cranliarm is located. Said crank arm is indicated at 29. It may be actuated through suitable train of connections, as, for example, threugh a wire or cord 3Q connected to one of the brake rods or to the brake pedal so that when the driver applies the brakes the curtain 10 is raised to disclese the warning appearing upon the glass Pl 8- The relative movement between the body eaterns h fr m k nd he rake rigging due to uneven roads is compensated br t e Slot. 22 an byh ding f the intermittent gears 18 and 19 upon one another, Excess movement of the brake rod 0,1; pedal after the arm has completed its working stroke is taken up in a spring 31 eonnected into the wire or cord 30,.

A coiled tension spring 32 anchored at one end to. the supporting framework and connected at its other end to an arm 33 on the shaft 26 serves to restore the mechanism of the signal apparatus to normal position when the brakes are released.

When the driver applies the brakes, the rm 2 wings do n, u t l the p 23. rr gag s. he owe e d wall f the Sim; 22, the spring in, the meantime holding the link up so that the end of the arm 2 $hall clear the lug 2],. Continuingdownward movement of the arm 24 pulls the link down and causes a quick rise; of the curtai 10. When the, brakes are released, the; spring 32 r ses, the arm 4mm. oun ed and 24: at sai ar mmed at y push a ain t the a as ag and; hus easitirelyf is arra g 9 b actuated bl ugh Contact of a projection 3.8 on the roller 1]; with a lbs .3991; said s riker The epe atios is s follows: when he dri e-.1 9f he eh l app es th brak s in changing his course or speed, the urtai 10 s ra se o d s lo to an; f llowing'clri er t e rd S ow I1 to e day time War may be ead y o eflected nligh At n ght, t rd nde ed id is shown a an t e s iker 7 of b cb bl'thl'oiie'b the l ght of t e lamp shi in through the glass plate 8, Whenthe brakes are released the curtain 10 resumes its normal position, as shown in Figs, 1 and 7, wherein the word Slow is covered. r-lt night, the light of the lamp 6 shines through the plate 8 and through the translucent bulls' eye 17, the apparatus then serving as an ordinary tail-light. Whenever the brakes are applied the bell 36 rings, thus indicating to the driver of the vehicle that the signal is operatingproperly. If the mechanism or actuating connections 'should break, the driver will become aware of the fact through failure of the bell to ring. The hell also gives warning to a following driver in case he is not watchingfor a visual signal.

It will be noted that the apparatus is self ema n d. nd is: efiee i e yincles l so as n t o e af cted by rain, sno or m d- As W b app e om F ghe pl te 8; is inclined in orderthat a following driver may the more readilyread the signal, The eover ,ican be; removed without disturbing any of the mechanism. When it is desired to renew th amp 6, t e covermay be mov d wh reupon e. lamp may be r na verl through the. for rd side of the framework If, however, access cannot be had at the front, side; of: the framework, th b k s may be. set so as o raise the cur tain; the casing 3 may then bereleased and lifted oil-,and the clamps 8 and, theglass plate 8 rem ved. Access may then be had to the lamp through the rear side. ofi'the apparatus; a

I claim 1$;Iny inventionlzr a 131 appar tus, combinatio traasnareatsign plate lamp at: one site thereof, a curtain at the opposite side thereof, having a translucent signal portion, said curtain being movable to one position to expose the sign and to another position to conceal the sign and expose the translucent portion of the curtain, said portion being illuminated by light passing through the sign plate. V p 2. A signal apparatus comprising a casing, a roller rotatably mounted in the upper portion of the casing, a shaft mounted in the lower portion of the casing, means tending to move the shaft laterally away from'the roller, a fiexible opaque curtain connected at its upper edge to the roller, two tapes each connected at one end to the lower edge of the curtain and at their opposite ends to the roller, idler rollers on said shaft around which said tapes extend, a lamp mounted centrally within thecasing and directly below the roller, a signal device located between the lamp and the curtain, said curtain having a translucent portion arranged to occupy a position behind and in alinement with the lamp when the curtain is in rear of the signal device, and means for turning the roller to reciprocate the curtain into and out of position to conceal the signal device, said casing having a glazed sight opening in its rear wall.

3. A signal apparatus comprising a casing, a lamp in the casing, a signal device arranged to be illuminated by the lamp, a roller mounted in the casing, an opaque curtain attached to said roller, means for guiding the curtain to move into and out of position to cover said signal device in the rotation of the roller, intermittent gearing for turning the roller, a shaft supported in the casing, a crank arm on the shaft, a link connecting said crank arm to one of the in termittent gears, said link and crank arm having a lost-motion connection, and means for turning said shaft.

V 4. A signal apparatus comprising a casing, a roller rotatably'mounted in the upper portion of the casing, a flexible opaque curtain connected at its upper edge to the roller, two tapes each connected at one end to the lower edge of the curtain and at their opposite ends to the roller, idler rollers in the lower part of the casing around which said tapes extend, a lamp mounted centrally within the casing and directly below the roller, a signal device located between the lamp and the curtain, and means for turning the roller to reciprocate the curtain into and out of position to conceal the signal device, said casing having a glazed sight opening in its rear wall.

5. A signal apparatus including a casing having a sight opening, a lamp for illuminating the casing, a signal device arranged to be illuminated by the lamp, an opaque member having a translucent bulls eye normally registering with the sight opening, means for moving said member to expose the signal device, and means for indicating when the signal device has been exposed.

6. A signal apparatus comprising a roller, a curtain attached to said roller, gearing for turningthe roller, a shaft supported in the casing, a crank arm on the shaft, a pin on the crank arm, a link pivoted to one of the gears and having a slot through which said pin extends, a lug on said link, said crank arm having a rounded end arranged to engage said lug when the arm swings in one direction, and a spring acting on said link to hold said lug clear of said arm when the arm swings in the other direction.

7. A signal apparatus comprising a roller, a curtain attached to said roller, a shaft supported in the casing, a crank arm on the shaft, a pin on the crank arm, a link operatively connected to turn the roller, said link having. a slot through which said pin extends, a lug on said link, said crank arm being arranged to engage said lug when the arm swings in one direction, and a spring acting on said link to hold said lug clear of said arm when the arm swings in the other direct on.

In testlmony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand.

EDWARD J. SCHRODER.

6091mm at this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of ratents, Washington, D. G. 

